58 Chapter 58: Dorne

[ Davos ]

Sailing to Dorne hadn't been too hard for a man like Davos, even while doing so undetected. After all, it was no secret that he was a smuggler and he had to be pretty damn good at it to get a Knighthood out of it.

Davos no longer sailed for money, hell Arthur 'Gods bless his soul,' the seaman gave a prayer to his old friend. He had fixed everything and now Seaworth was a minor house in the House Redhawk's territory, but he had so much money that even lords with hundreds of years of family history don't have those riches. 

'Damn, if only Arthur was alive, his dream would have continued. Small folk would never have to fear again, everyone will have equal opportunity… Ah, old friend, one day we will meet in the afterlife. But not before I too do my own duty.'

Seaworth found himself thinking too many times about his old friend as of lately, especially since his son Oliver was so much like his father, if not in appearance then in actions.

...

It took Davos almost two weeks to reach Dorne, mostly because a bax storm had hit the ship, and the vessel he was using was manned by sailors with experience in only trade.

Since Merchants weren't exactly known to sail that well, it wasn't uncommon for Davos to feel like yelling orders at some of the men who were making amateur mistakes. But he held his tongue, as not even the ship's captain knew about who he really was and what his job in Dorne would be.

The ex-smuggler looked at the letter in his hand, many times he had been tempted to open and read it during the journey. Well, the letter didn't have its seal broken, but one could easily get past things like that. Still, he resisted the urge, after all, breaking Oliver's trust wouldn't be a wise idea. 

Also, he was already at his destination, Sunspear was quite the sight. While the city itself was nowhere near the House Redhawk's London City, it still showed a different culture to it. Because while London seemed to be the city of perfection at day, with mothers and children happily smiling while men mostly work.

At night, it became a city of darkness, whores, assassins, smuggling and much more. This of course was all allowed by the Redhawk family as long as they were paid tax on it and nothing too extreme went on like human trafficking or enslaving.

"Well, what might have brought the onion knight all the way to Dorne, when he should be in Bravos." A whisper like voice came.

Davos immediately turned around and saw a man he was familiar with. He knew the man only by reputation... but the reputation was fearsome. Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper, his spear was in his hands as he stared down the onion knight.

"I think that my brother would like to meet someone like you. Especially when you sneak around here… like a snake. Sadly for you, snakes have quite a hard time sneaking up on each other."

"Prince Oberyn," Davos bowed slightly to show respect, "I am here for my Lord's business. Though since I was going to meet up with your brother either way, then I wouldn't mind having a prince escorting me. It's quite the honor."

Oberyn smirked, though the friendly gesture didn't quite reach his eyes. "Come along now, I wouldn't want someone of your calibre being killed in Sunspear.

This Lord Oliver seems to be a lot like his father, and the late Arthur Redhawk was known for one thing here in Dorne… and that was just how cruel he could be. That man's mind always seemed to work a hundred steps ahead of others, and of course, his cruelty was also unmatched by any other."

Seaworth could hear the small quips made at the dead Arthur, his fist tightens till his knuckles became pale white. But he still held his words, after all, he couldn't go and punch a prince of Dorne on the face.

"Prince Oberyn, I find it quite out of taste to say things about dead men who can't even refute them."

The Red Viper nodded, "Sorry about that, no insults were meant. It was just the curiosity of an exiled prince."

"You don't seem to be exiled Prince Oberyn," Davos inquired, "Why might that be?" 

"Oh you know Ser Davos, some problems popped up so I had to come back." The viper's reply seemed very informative, but it wasn't. Though the onion Knight did notice that the Prince had started calling him 'Ser' and seemed to recognize him as a knight.

"By the way, you should try some brothels in Dorne, here are the best establishments in all the seven kingdoms. Maybe after all business is done, my paramour Ellaria and I could accompany you too."

"Thank you for the offer Prince Oberyn," Davos felt very awkward at this, and thought on what to say to not offend the brother of Dorner's ruler. "But I am a married man now, and wouldn't like to betray the vows I made to my wife."

Oberyn nodded and they walked in silence, and Davos felt like he had just offended the Prince but didn't know how. 'Damn, politics just aren't my thing!' He complained inwardly, while trying to read the situation and recall if he had said anything offensive. 

...

If Oberyn had been fierce and a hot head, Doran was exactly the opposite. They were a good guest room, with guards all around them and Oberyn sat to the side sipping on a cup of wine while Doran and Davos sat opposite of each other.

The Prince of Dorne took the letter that the onion knight had intended for him and as he read through, his jaw clenched. "Tell… tell Lord Oliver that there will need to be further discussion on this."

Davos nodded, "I see," he noticed the tense atmosphere, "Then excuse me, Prince Doran, Prince Oberyn, but I will have to report this to Lord Oliver."

That was when all of the guards pulled out their spears and aimed them at Davos. 

Doran had a calm look on his face, no emotion was apparent on him. "You will tell him Ser Davos… when he comes to Dorne to get you."

He then threw the letter that he got to Oberyn and told him to burn the letter as soon as he could.

"Prince Doran, I don't think Lord Oliver would risk his life for a simple man born in Flea Bottom." Davos tried to plead his case.

"Don't worry Ser Davos," Prince Doran reassured the man, "We won't harm you. Nor will we torture you for information, which as one of the decreased Lord Arthur's closest confidants, you must know quite a lot of secrets. But don't worry, none of that will happen to you. Because we only want Lord Oliver to come here and confirm some things."

The onion knight nodded absentmindedly, his eyes worried as he looked around. For him, the promises of a Dornishman were about as worth as empty air. 

...

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